Quality commercial restaurant equipment is the backbone of any restaurant Kitchen. From the initial purchase to the upkeep to the energy requirements, these pieces of equipment can be a significant investment. Like with most things, however, the good news is that regular routine maintenance and care can protect your equipment and extend its life for many years. At some point, however, all commercial equipment will need to be replaced.
The costs of running a restaurant can be high when you factor in food, rent, staff, and other expenditures. Due to the significant investment required in kitchen equipment, many restaurant owners avoid purchasing new equipment and put off the inevitable for as long as possible. However, when thinking about new equipment, there are a few things to consider, such as safety and efficiency. If you’re wondering when it’s time to repair or replace restaurant cooking equipment, you need to weigh all of your options.
Understanding the average life cycle of your equipment can provide insight into how long you can maintain products. Knowing how long your kitchen equipment should last will give a good idea of when repair makes sense and when a replacement might be necessary. Although restaurant equipment can be expensive, the benefits of replacement can sometimes outweigh the short-term savings of repairs. Let’s take a look at replacing your restaurant equipment.
Repair vs. Replacement Costs
Often, quick repairs and service calls are needed to maintain your equipment. Repairs and maintenance are an expected part of keeping up with any equipment. Even the dishwasher and refrigerator in our homes require occasional attention. With the correct tools for appliance repair, restaurant owners can do many of the repairs themselves. You can even conduct a virtual session with a technician to help walk you through appliance repair. No matter if you do it yourself or call an appliance repair technician, your equipment will need service. However, the need for repair will become more frequent, and the costs will add up.
While most kitchen equipment may require an occasional fix or tune-up, the need for more frequent repairs may indicate that it’s time to replace the piece of equipment. If this is the case, you can look into commercial kitchen equipment financing that will allow you to make payments over time. Finding a financing option will help ease the financial burden, especially when there are tight margins and other bills. The cost of new equipment can be high. However, weighing them against the cost of continual repairs could have cost savings in the long run.
Efficiency
Replacing restaurant equipment isn’t always a matter of physical condition or repairs. Sometimes, you might need to consider the economics of utility bills and other costs. Today, new kitchen equipment comes with energy ratings that make running much cheaper than older equipment does. In many cases, a new piece of equipment will pay for itself in utility savings alone. If your older equipment is inefficient and increasing your energy bills, you might consider switching to more energy-efficient appliances.
Performance
Even with care and maintenance, restaurant equipment will not last forever. Power surges, worn door gaskets, rust, and worn griddles are some indications that it’s time to replace. As equipment wears down, it stops operating properly and efficiently and can interfere with operations. If a piece of kitchen equipment is slowing down your business, it is probably time to replace it. Additionally, you’ll need to consider other performance-related factors. As your business grows or the menu changes, you might need to upgrade your equipment to handle increased operations.
Ultimately, the lifespan of your equipment will depend on the needs and demands of your restaurant. If you find that your oven or fryer isn’t running as it used to or you have called the repair technician every week, it might be time to consider a change.
